Thoracic Surgery Residency

The Thoracic Surgery Residency, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, is a program of Cedars-Sinai, an academic medical center renowned for cardiac care, research and education. Cedars-Sinai was among just 17 hospitals nationwide named to the Honor Roll in the 2014-15 issue of America’s Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. Twelve of the medical center's specialties, including cardiology and heart surgery, were rated among the finest in the nation.

The Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute has trained many cardiothoracic surgeons in clinical and basic science fellowships. Key clinical studies on coronary bypass and valvular heart surgery have been published in prestigious peer-reviewed journals. The division is a leader in developing percutaneous aortic valve surgery, robotic assisted mitral valve surgery and video-assisted thoracic surgery.

The Thoracic Surgery Residency emphasizes less invasive techniques in adult cardiac, aortic and general thoracic surgery. In addition, exposure to advanced treatments in heart failure, such as the total artificial heart and ventricular assist devices, complements the busiest heart transplant program in the United States.

The cardiothoracic faculty members are full-time Cedars-Sinai employees with academic appointments. In the residency's two-year curriculum, conducted at Cedars-Sinai, residents can choose to spend 18 months on cardiac and six months on thoracic, or 12 months on cardiac followed by 12 months on thoracic. This structure allows residents to qualify for the American Board of Thoracic Surgery certification, either through the thoracic track or cardiac track.